A few miles west of Florence in a remote Tuscan farmhouse in the tiny appellation of Carmingano lies what could be one of Italy’s best kept secrets - Villa di Capezzana. Filippo Bartolotta tastes one of the last bottles from the "outstanding" 1930 vintage, as part of a historic vertical.
The Capezzana estate continues Carmignano’s delicious, centuries-old tradition of blending Sangiovese and Cabernet Gaddo, Filippo and Beatrice are among the Contini Bonacossi family members carrying on winemaking work that dates to Renaissance times while continuing to innovate with new bottlings. (Robert Camuto) By May 11, 2021
Just before Italy reopened last month, I did the logical thing and hopped in the car and drove to Tuscany.
The countrysides were empty of tourists, frigid and in full bloom. Restaurants were still shuttered, but wildlife songbirds, deer, pheasants, foxes and more was abundant.
My first stop was in the northern end of the region, just 15 miles west of Florence, in one of Tuscany’s oldest and least-known wine areas.